The document discusses a new strategy for human and robotic exploration that involves "stepping stones and flexible building blocks". It advocates for a robust and flexible approach driven by scientific discovery. Key aspects of the strategy include integrating human and robotic exploration to maximize discovery, pursuing capabilities and technologies in a timeframe paced by affordability, and making inspiration and education integral parts of the programs. The document contrasts this approach with the traditional "giant leap" Apollo approach and argues the new strategy is better suited to address current priorities and budget realities.

1. Future Directions: Strategy for Human and Robotic ExplorationGary L. MartinSpace ArchitectNovember 2003

2. Robust Exploration StrategyNew Strategy: Stepping Stones and Flexible Building Blocks•NASA Vision and Mission drive goals and must justify investment•Robust and flexible capability to visit several potential destinations•Human presence is a means to enable scientific discovery•Integrate/optimize human-robotic mix to maximize discovery•Timeframe paced by capabilities and affordability•Key technologies enable multiple, flexible capabilities•Inspiration and educational outreach integral to programsHigh-risk with limited vision beyond demonstrating a technology capabilityRobust and flexible, driven by discovery, and firmly set in the context of national priorities
Traditional Approach: A Giant Leap (Apollo)
•Cold War competition set goals, National Security justified the investment
•Singular focus on the Moon
•Humans in space an end unto itself
•Robotic exploration secondary to crewed missions
•Rigid timeframe for completion with unlimited resources
•Technologies are destination-and system- specific
•Inspirational outreach and education secondary to programs

4. Science Drivers Determine Destinations
(Selected Examples) • History of major Solar System events• Effects of deep space on cells• Impact of human and natural events upon Earth• Origin of life in the Solar System• Planetary sample analysis: absolute age determination “calibrating the clocks” • Measurement of genomic responses to radiation• Measurement of Earth’s vital signs “taking the pulse” • Detection of bio- markers and hospitable environments•Asteroids•Moon•Mars•Venus•Beyond Van Allen belts•Earth orbits•Libration points•Cometary nuclei•Europa•Libration points•Mars•Titan• How did the Solar Systemevolve? • How do humans adapt to space? • What is Earth’s sustainability and habitability? • Is there Life beyond the planet of origin?• Origin of life in the UniversePursuitsActivitiesScience QuestionsDestinationsHow did we get here? Where are we going? Are we alone?

5. Stepping Stone Strategy

6. Stepping Stone Approach
Current CapabilitiesEARTH’S NEIGHBORHOODACCESSIBLE PLANETARY SURFACESLow Earth Orbit•Crew Health and Performance•Systems and Technology Performance•Engineering Test bed•Crew transportationHubble Space TelescopeLibration PointsMars Mars Exploration Rovers Space Infrared Telescope FacilityEarth Sensing•Understand Earth as a system•Develop predictive capabilities

7. Stepping Stone Approach
Near-term Next Steps for Human and Robotic ExplorationHigh Earth Orbit/High Inclination (above the Van Allen Belts) EARTH’S NEIGHBORHOODACCESSIBLE PLANETARY SURFACESLibration Points (60-100 day missions)•Assembly, Maintenance, and Servicing•Initial Deep Space Crew Transfer•Breakthrough Science Capabilities•Deep Space Systems DevelopmentMoon (14 day + missions) •Surface Systems•Operations•Resource Utilization•High Power SystemsLow Earth Orbit•Crew Health and Performance•Systems and Technology Performance•Engineering Test bed•Crew transportation •Heavy Lift Earth Sensing•Understand Earth as a system•Develop predictive capabilitiesMars
Potential Sites for Operations Above Low Earth Orbit

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Stepping Stone Approach
Far-Term Next Steps for Human and Robotic ExplorationEARTH’S NEIGHBORHOODACCESSIBLE PLANETARY SURFACESHigh Earth Orbit/High Inclination (above the Van Allen Belts) Moon (14 day + missions) Libration Points (60-90 day missions) •Assembly, Maintenance, and Servicing•Initial Deep Space Crew Transfer•Surface Systems•Operations•Resource Utilization•High Power Systems•Breakthrough Science Capabilities•Deep Space Systems Development•Explore a New World •Search for Life•Resource Utilization•High Power SystemsMars (365 day + missions) AsteroidsLow Earth Orbit•Crew Health and Performance•Systems and Technology Performance•Engineering Test bed•Crew transportation •Heavy Lift] Earth Sensing•Understand Earth as a system•Develop predictive capabilities
Potential Sites for Operations Above Low Earth Orbit

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Sun-Earth L1 , L2Mars Earth’s NeighborhoodAccessible Planetary Surfaces Outer Planets and beyond
Progression in Capability Development
Exploration Metro Map
Sun, Mercury, Venus Low Earth Orbit
High Earth Orbit
Earth-Moon L1, L2
Moon
Earth

10. Human and Robotic ConceptsMarsMoonLEO/GEOLibration Points
Earth-to-Orbit
40 mT
100mT
Transportation
Transfer Vehicle
Upper Stage
Lander
Space Power
Habitation ‘
EVA/Robotics

11. Systematic Investment Strategy
Space Act & NASA Strategic Plan
Science : Questions, Pursuits, Activities
Requirements and Systems Engineering
Programmatic and Technology Road Maps
Gap Analysis
Architectural Studies & Technology TradesIntegrated Space Plan, Technology Requirements, Priorities, and New InitiativesProducts:
Space Architect Focus

12. Page 12
Key Technology Challenges
•Space Transportation
–Safe, fast, and efficient
•Affordable, Abundant Power
–Solar and nuclear
•Crew Health and Safety
–Counter measures and medical autonomy
•Optimized Robotic and Human Operations
–Dramatically higher productivity; on-site intelligence
•Space Systems Performance
–Advanced materials, low-mass, self-healing, self-assembly, self- sufficiency…
NanotubeSpace Elevator
Space Solar Power
Invariant Manifolds
RLV
Aerobraking
NEP
Artificial Gravity
M2P2
L1Outpost
RobonautGossamer Telescopes

13. Strategic Building Block InvestmentsFY 2003 FY 2004 Nuclear Systems Initiative ¾Greatly increased power for space science and explorationTechnological BarriersPower: Providing ample power for propulsion and science Transportation: Providing safe, reliable and economical transportation to and from space and throughout the solar systemHuman Capabilities: Understanding and overcoming human limitations in spaceCommunications: Providing efficient data transfer across the solar systemBioastronautics Program ¾Roadmap to address human limitationsIntegrated Space Transportation Plan ¾Orbital Space Plane ¾Extended Shuttle Operations ¾Next Generation Launch SystemsProject Prometheus ¾Nuclear power and propulsion for revolutionary science and orbital capabilities ¾First mission to Jupiter’s MoonsHuman Research Initiative ¾Accelerate research to expand capabilities ¾Enable 100-plus day missions beyond low-Earth orbit In-Space Propulsion Program ¾Efficient Solar System TransportationSpace Station Restructuring ¾Research Priority Focused ¾Management Reforms ¾Sound Financial BaseOptical Communications ¾Vastly improve communication to transform science capability ¾First demonstration from Mars

14. Update: 10/24/02
Integrated Space Transportation Plan1stFlightOSP BridgeTo New Launcher02SpaceShuttle0304050607080910111213141516171819202122OrbitalSpacePlaneOperationsDesignHypersonicFSD? US Core CompleteIP Core CompleteISS Extend?International Space StationISS Crew ReturnCapable OrbitalTech DemoCrew Transfer on Human- Rated EELVOperationsOSP PrimaryCrew Vehicle? Future Exploration beyond LEO? FSDDecisionNext Generation Launch Technology
Competition Decisions
Further Extend as Crew and/or Cargo Vehicle?
Operate Thru Mid Next Decade
Extend?
Extend Until 2020+
Development
Tech
Long-Term Technology Program
Launch System Decision
(Based onReqt, $, DoD)
Risk Reduction
FSD
Decision
Development

15. Orbital Space PlaneThe Orbital Space Plane (OSP) will: •Support NASA’s strategic goals and science objectives by achieving assured access to the International Space Station (ISS) and Low Earth Orbit (LEO) –Crew return capability from the International Space Station as soon as practical but no later than 2010 (Goal is now 2008) –Crew transfer to and from the ISS as soon as practical but no later than 2012 (Goal is now 2010) •Provide the basis for future exploration beyond Low Earth Orbit

16. OSP Primary Earth-to-LEO TransportationEarth SurfaceLow Earth OrbitHigh Earth Orbit / Low Lunar OrbitEarth SurfaceCrew Transfer from OSP to XTV* Crew Transfer to OSPXTV* RefuelsXTV Fuels in LEOXTVXTVXTV40 MT NLGT Launch VehicleLunar Lander (wet) Propellant TankerLunar Lander (dry) XTVXTV
LEO Tanker
Propulsive Capture
LEO Tanker and OSP
XTV
OSP Crew Launch
OSP Crew Landing
Propellant Launches
(Qty TBD)
Contingency Return

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Power
Project Prometheus
•Revolutionary capabilities for nuclear propulsion and power
–Much greater ability to power instruments, change speed, and transmit science data
–No launch constraint to use gravity assists
–Can orbit multiple objects or moons with vastly greater, persistent observation time
–Can change target mid-mission (to support change in priorities)
•First use: Jupiter Icy Moon Orbiter
–Search for evidence of global subsurface oceans on Jupiter’s three icy Galilean moons: Europa, Ganymede, andCallisto. These oceans may harbor organic material.
–Nuclear technology will enable unprecedented science data return through high power science instruments and advanced communications tech

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Crew Health and SafetyArtificial Gravity NEP Vehicle System Concepts
•Mission Needs
–1-g, 4 rpm system –consistent with human centrifugation tests
–Minimize AG vehicle mass “penalties” & complexity
–18-month Mars roundtrip, nuclear electric propulsion
•Assessments
–AG crew hab module design assessment
–Power/propulsion/trajectory trades
–Angular momentum management/vehicle steering strategies
–Preliminary assessment of structural, power system designs
•Results
–Only small dry mass AG penalties identified (<5%)
–Good synergy among power system and propulsive performance
–Propellant-efficient steering strategies identified

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Crew Health and Safety
Attacking the Radiation Challenge Exploration Location/ Duration3% lifetime limitLEO+ 500-1000DaysCURRENT MITIGATIONSafe HavensCareer/Mission Time ConstraintsDosimetryHistorical Data/ModelingEarth’s Magnetic FieldADVANCED APPROACHESFast TransitPersonnel ScreeningActive ShieldingPharmaceuticalsInteg. Design of Passive ShieldsMaterialsTissue Testing/ModelingLEO180 DaysAs Low As Reasonably Achievable
Risk/Uncertainty

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Human/Robotic Partnership
Optimizing the Human/Robotic Equation
Optimal Human and Robotic CombinationsExample Science ActivitiesCreating science instruments and observing platforms to search for life sustaining planetsSearch for evidence of life on planetary surfaces•Technology Projections•Experience and Lessons Learned•MissonPerformance Assessments

21. Page 21
Large Space Telescope Construction and Maintenance
2300m Linear Phased ArrayHuman InterfaceDevelopmentHardwareDevelopmentEVA/Robotic OptimizationSingle AgentPlanningMulti -Agent PlanningRoboticDevelopmentTelepresenceSuit AdvancesSpace StationEVA/Robotic JointsElectricalFluidStructuralPath PlanningDexterityTimeComplexity/ CapabilityComplex Systems201020052002State ofThe ArtBroadApplicationGeosyncSynthetic Aperture Radar(code Y) StudiesDemonstrationsFlight Demonstrations20m Parabolic Telescope
(2002)

22. Space Systems
Example: Mars Human Mission Mass Savings Normalized to ISS Mass 5.04.03.02.01.00.0Advanced Avionics (7%) Maintenance & Spares (18%) Advanced Materials (17%) Closed life Support (34%) Advanced Propulsion (EP or Nuclear) (45%) Aerobraking (42%) Normalized MassHWConsum- ables
Today
8.0
7.0
6.0

23. “As for the future, your task is not to foresee it, but to enable it.“
Antoine de-Saint-Exupery